Cyprus Household Wealth Climbs As Financial Assets Reach €65.3 Billion

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

August 3, 2026

The Central Bank of Cyprus has published its Quarterly Financial Accounts for the first quarter of 2026, providing an overview of the financial position of households, insurance companies, investment funds, pension funds and non-financial corporations.

Households Continue To Increase Financial Assets

Household financial assets rose to €65.30 billion at the end of March 2026. Cash, deposits and loans continued to dominate portfolios, accounting for 53% of total assets, followed by shares at 26%, other financial assets at 17% and debt securities at 4%.

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Debt also edged higher to €20.10 billion, lifting the household debt ratio to 55% of GDP from the previous quarter. Despite the increase, the longer-term trend remained downward. Compared with December 2016, the ratio has declined by 63%, reflecting a significant improvement in household balance sheets over the past decade.

Investment Portfolios Differ Across Financial Institutions

Insurance companies held €6.10 billion in financial assets at the end of the first quarter. Portfolios consisted of 45% shares, 29% debt securities, 18% other financial assets, 7% cash and deposits and 2% loans.

Investment funds reported €7.60 billion in assets, with equities making up 80% of portfolios. Cash and deposits accounted for 4%, loans and debt securities for 13%, and other financial assets for the remaining 3%.

Pension funds held €5.00 billion in financial assets. Shares represented 55% of portfolios, followed by 14% in cash and deposits, 13% in loans, 11% in other financial assets and 6% in debt securities.

Corporate Debt Remains Below Historical Levels

Non-financial corporations reported €79.60 billion in financial assets, including 39% in shares, 33% in other financial assets, 22% in cash and deposits, 5% in loans and 0.5% in debt securities.

Corporate debt increased to €40.00 billion, bringing the sector’s debt ratio to 109% of GDP, slightly above the previous quarter. However, compared with December 2016, the ratio has fallen by 97%, according to the central bank.

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Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

August 17, 2026

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

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IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

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